The Chicago Bears are re-signing star cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The deal has $54.4 million guaranteed, per Schefter.
I will be completely honest, I had no idea who this guy was four months ago. But after putting together three solid, albeit quiet, seasons from 2020-2022, Johnson broke out last season and caught my eye.
The Bears have now made three huge investments at all three levels of the defense in the last calendar year:
🏈DE Montez Sweat: 4 years, $98M
🏈LB Tremaine Edmunds: 4 years, $72M
🏈CB Jaylon Johnson: 4 years, $76 million. https://t.co/yWVVxTxemp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
The lockdown corner stepped his game up in a big way, raising his Pro Football Focus rating from 62.9 to an ascendant 90.8, leading all corners leaguewide.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 31: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Justin Casterline/Getty Images
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 27: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears reacts after nearly intercepting a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. David Berding/Getty Images
Johnson, who came into the 2023 season with one career pick in three seasons, recorded four picks in a stellar 2023 campaign. (RELATED: Head-Scratcher: NFL Team Fires Entire Offensive Staff But Keeps Mediocre Head Coach)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 27: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears runs after intercepting a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. David Berding/Getty Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 22: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears reacts after an interception during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
He earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro for his efforts, though I would even argue he earned first-team All-Pro over Dallas Cowboys corner DaRon Bland. Yes, Bland led the league in interceptions with an impressive nine. But that’s because quarterbacks didn’t utterly fear throwing to his side of the field.
Jaylon Johnson is a top 5 corner this season.pic.twitter.com/zni7SmB5Hk
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 10, 2023
It’s a good thing for Chicago they got this deal done. Johnson had actually requested a trade at one point last season, but now he’ll be back for the foreseeable future, and that future is bright.
Chicago holds the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft and all signs point to them selecting star USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. If that happens, and they trade incumbent quarterback Justin Fields, they will have a ton of draft capital to help build around Johnson, Williams, star receiver D.J. Moore and others.
